‘Star Search: All Stars’ crowns its queen in a high-production, gorgeously gay finale at Studio 13

Catch up on the entire series leading up to the finale: Episodes one, two, three, four, five, six and seven.

I came to the bar an hour early to solidify a spot. When we came for the Season 3 finale (and I’m so glad I did; Oblivion Westwood’s talent number changed the course of my life) I was jumping to see over heads. Me and my group found our usual spot by stage right and watched as 12-or-so Frisbee impersonators rehearsed on the main stage. I spotted Sonny Noble in a surprisingly hot Joker cosplay walking with the best posture I’ve ever seen and Erotica Divine Belle pacing around the other side of the bar in scrubs. 

Beep Beep, wearing one of her coolest looks yet — somewhere between Twiggy and a Truffula tree — said the premiere and finale are the most stressful episodes. And I can see it — there’s a frantic energy in the air that only comes when something monumental is about to happen. 

Kimmy and Beep took the stage to kick off the night, fashionably late to the 9 p.m. start time. And I stress the fashionably.

“We’re looking for polish,” Kimmy declares, noting the top three had two weeks to prepare. 

Production numbers are always my favorite. To me, the point of Star Search — and maybe to drag? — is this concentrated form of artistry. You’re making a universe on stage, every number world-building, and production numbers give performers the most freedom and the most time (seven-ish minutes) to do it. I’ve been looking forward to Ruth’s all season.

Ruth’s big number

In a throwback to the Real Housewives challenge, Ruth brought back “Ruthalyn,” her beautification drug/surgery/Botox/Ritalin equivalent. The details are vague, but hilariously so. In scrubs, flanked by Erotica Divine Bell and Paris Jackson Beverly Hillz, she performed a play in three acts. First, she introduces “Ruthalyn,” dancing to “Pump It” by the Black Eyed Peas with comically large pink syringes.

In the next phase of the performance, the dancers retreat and Valencia Del La Barrio is lit by a spotlight while manning a newscasting puppet. The puppet-anchor reports that “Ruthalyn” is actually not safe. Lights come back up and the backup dancers return, wearing hockey masks smeared with Ruth’s signature makeup. “Thriller” plays as the three hit some more well-rehearsed choreo.

In the third act, Valencia’s back (same puppet, this time with a blonde wig) to announce a new update to the story: that Ruthalyn is turning people into zombies. Familiar drag performer Rotting Void, face obscured in a hockey mask, replaced Valencia on stage wearing a pink puffy dress. There was a record scratch as a classic Mommie Dearest scene is reenacted.

“Why can’t you give me the respect I’m entitled to?” Ruth monologues, in full-blown Dunaway-as-Crawford melodrama.

“Because I’m not one of your fans!” Void retorts, flailing their arms. Then Void and the zombie back-up dancers tackle Ruth to the ground as the music fades.

Virgo Frost’s big number

Virgo is next, and also references a past challenge — Joker-Sonny is the only one on stage when Virgo approaches in a black and red Harley Quinn jumpsuit, reminiscent of her DC looks from the Dragula ball. Sonny turned to face the audience, lip-syncing to a clip of RuPaul saying “Hey, Porkchop!” She waved, then left the stage.

“Side to Side” began to play as Virgo entered view. Her makeup looked sharp and sleek, her wig a gorgeous, voluminous blonde. As she slinked towards the stage, Divinity Hope (as Catwoman) and Envy Oblivion (as Poison Ivy) sprung from beneath the judge’s table and followed, Ariana Grande blasting over the speakers. Something about Virgo? She’s gonna turn out a dance number. All three dancers were electric performers, totally matching the vibe of each song in the mix.

If that wasn’t enough, Virgo left the stage and pulled a line of performers into the number, all dressed in her past looks. She sat in a stool as they surrounded her, and I got the metaphor. Every week, Virgo has said she was proud of what she had done. It’s sort of incredible when you think about it, to love the things that you create so much, to have no regrets. Seeing all those looks on the stage behind her made me take a second to really honor what she had done here, and the way she did it.

Frisbee Jenkins’ big number

Frisbee had the most complex production out of anyone. About half of the max capacity of the bar was filled by just the people in her number. There was a V-shaped line of people with their backs turned to the stage, and as the music began, one by one they turned. They wore a fleet of Frisbee’s looks from throughout the season, Eras Tour style — similar in theory to Virgo, but completely original. The models left almost as quickly as they arrived, and the next scene began.

As they left, a zoot-suited Domita Sanchez (one of the Des Moines crew) remained, previously hidden behind other performers. Adorned with a leopard print hat and manning a huge half-smoked cigar, they lip-synced to the deep-voiced man that narrates “Disco Clone” by Christina. Frisbee floated about in a short, bouncy black dress and Hairspray-esque black bob with cute ’60s bangs.

As the narrator introduced the “Disco Clones,” all the identical Frisbees entered the stage and began a choreographed number in a truly remarkable, certifiably no-doubt-about-it Frisbee Jenkins way. It was a real “I am Spartacus” situation, each person’s makeup done so excellently there were moments I really didn’t know who the real Frisbee was. And again, I can’t overstate how professional it looked, every one of her — perhaps 50? Or more? — dancers having mastered it.

There were several more sections, a few famous Diahann Carroll lines from Dynasty, a group of tuxedoed dancers and a grand finale with everyone back onstage. It was, as always, a joy to watch. 

The final runway

The theme of this runway is “Finale Extravaganza,” of course. 

Ruth is first in this lineup, too. She storms the stage in a shimmering nude bodysuit that sparkles with rhinestones. She wears a black straight wig and pink pumps with elevated Divine-meets-Jersey Shore makeup, bold blue eyeshadow and darkly lined lips. The bodysuit is seamlessly constructed, fitting her perfectly. She mock-sung into the (also rhinestoned) headset mic before taking it into her mouth.  

Virgo shows a different side than what I’ve seen before: an elaborate pageantry. She wears a black form-fitting gown, a bouquet of matching foxtails hanging from her wrist, and her ginger hair finds is elevated into an updo with ripples and folds that look as complicatedly woven as a brain. Her earrings are large obsidian gems, her makeup flawless. She holds a single finger out, almost testing the air, before taking delicate, achingly slow steps around the stage. 

When it is Frisbee’s turn to walk, the music changes. To what, I could not tell you, as the roar of the crowd makes the switch almost unnecessary. The lights cut and several people holding black lights crouched along the runway, lighting up one of the most iconic looks in Star Search history. Frisbee’s neon dress, earrings and bag, completely saturated by the blacklight, became explosions of color and texture, each rhinestone of the dress capturing the light and sparkling, as to never let the judges forget the craftsmanship behind the illusion. When the lights switch on, the dress is still just as impressive, painstakingly created by Frisbee over the course of three months. 

The judges paused the show briefly for pictures, mostly from friends trusted with iPhone cameras. When the judges ask everyone to leave the stage, there is an intentional stand still from the finalists. No one wanted to be the first to leave. Virgo (single finger still up, somehow never ceasing, never resting) planted herself firmly in place, looked only to the sky or towards a camera lens.

“Whoever leaves last gets points off,” Beep Beep said, somewhat lightheartedly. Frisbee lingered a second, but saw, I think, that Virgo wasn’t going to budge and made her exit. It was good sportsmanship. Ruth left next, carrying a lightness about her that showed she didn’t take herself seriously enough to need to be last. Once the stage was clear, Virgo made the same slow, theatrical, very serious steps down the runway, relishing in it. And though it was maybe a little dramatic… I can’t say she didn’t sell it. 

The judges weigh in

All the critiques began with compliments, and continued that way accordingly — for good reason.

“You are Popstar Ruth and you are amazing,” said Kimmy with somewhat rare sincerity.

Ruth Lime, no doubt aware of the weight of Kimmy’s words before the two finalists were picked, replied, “Can you say it like it’s not a eulogy?”

Everyone matched Kimmy’s sentiments as Ruth’s journey was dissected and celebrated. Daphne Danger (the people’s favorite guest judge and drag-crush of acclaimed Little Village columnist Finnegan Angelos) said about Ruth: “You’re a breath of fresh air … you know how to make things more fun and remind us why we do this.”

It felt so true in that moment. All of Ruth’s humor, taste and skill culminated in this amazing season’s worth of art. Ruth was always someone who made me excited to show up every Sunday. She always surprised me, and that is a gift. 

“You’ve proved that you were a force in Iowa City … everyone has more respect on your name now,” Beep Beep said to Virgo, still in her eleganza look. Virgo was the porkchop of her original season (the first one eliminated, even though technically she forfeited), as hinted by Sonny’s line in the number. “You started as the wildcard and ended up in the finale,” Kimmy said. “That’s a rags to riches story if I ever heard one.”

There was a moment of collective pride. Virgo seemed emotional on the stage, but before she could get too sappy, Myla grabbed the mic from Kimmy, “And you’re mugged the fuck out.” Too true. 

During Frisbee’s critique, I learned that she has the most wins out of anyone in Star Search, though I can’t say I was surprised to hear it. “You’re never gonna have a dead moment. And the runway? Fuck you. That’s all I have to say,” said Myla Jade — who, by the way, wore a perfect rendition of Ashley Tisdale’s Princess Diaries 2 pajama party look. Gay Halloween done right.

“I’m proud of you,” Kimmy said. “It’s weird to say I’m proud of you because you’re my mentor and my elder, but I’m proud of you.” Even though everyone who knows anything about Iowa City drag knew Frisbee Jenkins was going to do phenomenally in this competition, I don’t think anyone could have imagined just how good she was going to be. She brought an elevated vision to this competition that showcased what raw talent and experience can do. 

When it was time to eliminate one of the top three, I was grinding my teeth. At this point, it could have been anyone. When Ruth Lime’s name was called, I was surprised — but I would have been surprised by anyone. It was an impossible choice. She hugged her peers and left the stage. 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by STAR SEARCH – STUDIO 13 (@starsearchstudio13)

An all-star lip sync

The final lip sync was set to Chappell Roan’s “Good Luck, Babe,” and the resulting performance was intoxicating. Two performers at the height of their ability, doing what they do best. It was one of those “you had to be there” moments. You can find footage on the Star Search Instagram, along with the talent numbers. 

The song ends. Frisbee and Virgo find their places onstage. The judges deliberate in front of them, behind hands shielding lips, whispering. 

“The winner of Studio 13 Star Search: All Stars… is Virgo Frost Belle.” 

An eruption of screams comes from the bar, Virgo immediately starting to cry. It feels like confetti is falling, but I don’t think confetti is actually falling. She hugs Frisbee before a swarm of people the size of a football team rush the stage and embrace her in one of the largest group hugs I’ve ever witnessed. Jason, the bar owner, passes out free Jello shots to all. It feels like the last scene of A Christmas Carol. It’s a perfect end to a perfect season. As Daphne said during Virgo’s critique, “You’re the success story of Star Search. You’ve shown everyone exactly who you are.”

Now I know I’m probably sappier than everyone at Studio 13 put together, but I just want to reiterate how incredibly lucky we, as audience members, are to experience this level of talent and dedication. It is not easy to be queer, to be “other” in any means here in the Midwest, especially Iowa in 2024. But it’s these creative, visionary people — from long-standing pillars of community like Frisbee Jenkins to up-and-comers like Cindy Lux — that are the reason so many people, consciously or not, stick around. It’s why I do. Because this town is enough, the art it makes is enough.

Eat your heart out, New York City.